ST. LOUIS — Yadier Molina will not be a member of the full-time coaching staff for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2024, according to a report from an MLB insider.
In a social media post, Enrique Rojas of ESPN and Spanish language website GrandesEnLosDeportes.com said the legendary Cardinals catcher will not take a full-time role with the team in the coming season due to "family matters." Rojas said Molina will take on a special advisor role with the team with scheduled visits during spring training and the regular season.
Rojas reported that Molina said his long-term goal is to be a Major League manager. Molina will continue to manage Puerto Rico in international competition.
After a 19-year career with the Cardinals, Molina made just a few visits to St. Louis in 2023. He was on the stage for Adam Wainwright's retirement celebration.
Another one of Molina's former teammates, Daniel Descalso, will be joining the coaching staff for 2024. Earlier this month, the Cardinals announced the 2011 World Series Champion will serve as a bench coach during the 2024 season.
The 37-year-old was drafted in the third round by the Cardinals in 2007. He was a member of the team from 2010 to 2014, playing on both the 2011 World Series championship team and the team that appeared in the World Series in 2013.
He played 10 years in MLB across four teams including the Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs.
Descalso served as a Special Assistant to Baseball Operations for the National League Champion Arizona Diamondbacks in 2023. The Diamondbacks lost to the Texas Rangers in the World Series.
